Watsons expands to 1,166 stores, fueled by health, wellness trend

1 month ago 20

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Watsons expands to 1,166 stores, fueled by health, wellness trend

OUTSIDE THE METRO. Watsons is ramping up expansion in the Philippines, ending 2024 with 1,166 stores and community pharmacies reaching 400.

SM Investments Corporation handout

The Hong Kong-based healthcare and beauty chain opened 80 stores in the Philippines last year

MANILA, Philippines — As young Filipinos become more health-conscious, Watsons continues to expand in the Philippines, reaching 1,166 stores in the country.

AS Watson Group chief executive officer Malina Ngai said the Philippines is its “strategic market.” In 2024, Watsons chose SM Mall of Asia as the location for its 8,000th store in Asia.

“This vibrant and highly potential market has a young demographic that increasingly focuses on health and beauty, aligning perfectly with Watsons’ expertise,” Ngai said on Thursday, January 23.

The Hong Kong-based healthcare and beauty chain opened 80 stores in the Philippines in 2024. Watsons also expanded, with 50 of these new stores outside Metro Manila, including locations in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The company emphasized the importance of reaching local communities beyond Metro Manila. It opened its first community pharmacy in 2015 with a store in Pateros.

“By the end of 2024, we have 400 community stores throughout the Philippines, ensuring accessibility and convenience for our customers,” Watsons customer director Jared de Guzman said.

“Our community stores bring essential healthcare products closer to home, catering to the convenience sought by our busy shoppers,” he added.

Watsons first set up shop in the Philippines in 2002 through a joint venture between the SM Group and Hong Kong’s AS Watson & Co. Ltd.. Aside from Watsons Pharmacy, the joint venture also launched SM Beauty in 76 SM Stores and two LOOK outlets, which sell multi-brand beauty products, located in SM Aura and SM Mall of Asia. – Rappler.com